The Canada Games Council (CGC) and the Foundation for Athletes Sport Training (FAST) have partnered to build the Canada Games / FAST Athlete Fund. The program will provide direct financial assistance to Canadas next generation national team athletes to support their training and competition needs. The Fund is designed to fill a gap in Canadas sport system and support Canada Games level athletes who are targeted and on the pathway to excellence at the national team level.

The Canada Games / FAST Athlete Fund represents one of the new programs under the Canada Games Councils Dreams and Champions Programs (between Games initiatives), which has received a generous contribution from Canadian Heritage (Sport Canada) for 2005. For FAST, this represents the first year in partnership with the Canada Games Council but the second year where FAST has distributed such grants to next generation national team athletes. This fund has been enhanced in Ontario, through monies donated by the Government of Ontario and administered through FAST.

The Program

The Canada Games/FAST Athlete Fund will award a minimum of 75 grants, each worth $2000, to next generation national team athletes across Canada according to the eligibility criteria and selection process set out below, as well as the information received by the applicant on the enclosed application form. Athlete performances over the last 2 competitive seasons will be used as a key indicator for identifying recipients. Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for a grant under the 2005 Canada Games / FAST Athlete Fund, athletes must meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below:

1. The athlete must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant;2. The athlete must be a member in good standing with their respective Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization (P/TSO) and National Sport Organization (NSO) or equivalent if not training in Canada;3. The athlete must participate in a sport that is scheduled for the program of the 2005 Canada Summer Games or 2007 Canada Winter Games. (Athletes need not compete at the Games, but must be involved in one of the sports onthe Canada Games program.)4. The athlete must be instructed by a coach that has been trained and certified in the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) or equivalent;5. The athlete has been identified as a next generation national team athlete asdemonstrated by:

 Identification within the NSO pool of identified next generation national team athletes for the last two competitive seasons; OR Results at Regional Championships, National Championships (junior and/or senior) or other recognized national/international competitions over the last two competitive seasons; OR Representation on a Canadian National Teams (developmental and/or junior and/or senior); AND Commitment and dedication to a proper training and competitive program.

6. The athlete must not presently be under sanction as per the Canadian Anti- Doping Policy administered by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).

Please note that professional athletes (any athlete who has ever signed a professional contract), athletes currently holding a National Junior Card or who have held a National Senior Card at any time from the Athlete Assistance Program are not eligible for a grant under the Canada Games / FAST Athlete Fund.Application ProcessThe Canada Games Council and FAST will circulate the program guidelines and application form (see attached) to P/TSOs, NSOs, and Canada Games Chef de Mission. P/TSOs, NSOs, and Chef de Mission will be asked to circulate the information to athletes meeting the eligibility criteria. Printable and online versions of the application forms will also be posted on the CGC and FAST websites.

Athletes will complete an application form and must return it to the Canada Games / FAST Selection Committee. Once the Selection Committee has received all applications, the committee will approach the NSOs, P/TSOs for endorsement and verification of information on applications. Incompleteapplication forms will be deemed ineligible. The deadline for applications is March 4, 2005.

Canada Games / FAST will seek assistance from the NSO to order rank applications according to their internal national rankings of the athletes. The athlete should submit completed application forms to the Canada Games Council office in Ottawa, care of the Canada Games / FAST Athlete Fund. Application forms that have been submitted online will be submitted directly to the Canada Games / FAST Athlete Fund.

Selection Process

A Selection Committee comprised of one representative/expert from each of the following: Canada Games Council, FAST, NSO, a national level athlete, and Canada Games coach, will be formed to review all applications received.

The Selection Committee will meet no later than March 29, 2005 to make the final selections. Notification to the grant recipients, NSOs and P/TSOs will be provided no later than April 15, 2005. Distribution of grants will occur through April and May 2005.

Selection Criteria:

A minimum of 75 grants worth $2000 each will be awarded to next generation national team athletes. The Selection Committee for 2005 will be considering the following criteria:

 National ranking in Canada; Provincial ranking in home province; Results at international, national (including Canada Games) and provincial/territorial championships over the last two competitive seasons; Selection on national teams (developmental, junior, senior), regional, provincial/territorial teams over the last two competitive seasons; NSO order ranking of athletes in their system over the last two competitive seasons; The Selection Committee may consider other ranking systems(i.e. Canadian Sport Centres, etc.); Clear demonstration of athletes commitment to excellence through a proper training and competition program; and Additional information as required by the Selection Committee. As well the Selection Committee will ensure the following when making their final decisions: All provinces and territories are guaranteed at least two grants (one male and one female); Grants will be distributed evenly between female and male athletes; Canadas overall performance within the sport internationally; A minimum of 27 grants will be given to Ontario athletes as a result of Government of Ontarios contributions that are being administered by FAST; and An appropriate balance of grants will be given to individual and team sports.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Please see Appendix A of the application form for a summary of respective roles and responsibilities of athletes, P/TSOs, NSOs and the Canada Games Council/FAST Selection Committee.Timelines

If you have any questions on the program please contact Matt Koop at theCanada Games Council office, 613-526-2320 or via email atmkoop@canadagames.ca. All queries will be dealt with jointly between CanadaGames and FAST.

Your completed application form should be sent to the attention of:Canada Games / FAST Athlete FundSuite #701-2197 Riverside Drive,Ottawa, OntarioK1H 7X3